Hyderabad - Ajanta & Ellora
Hyderabad is a city of history and heritage. The old monuments and their significances add a different dimension to the city. Hyderabad is known for its rich past and the thus the city is named as the 'City of Nawabs'.
The city has a 400-year old history. Its rich heritage finds evidence in its old monuments, gardens, parks and forts. Tourist Attractions in Hyderabad are manifold. Hyderabad's appeal ranges from old monuments like the Charminar to the natural beauty of lakes like the Gandipet Lake.
Ajanta Caves - lying in the core of the Sahyadri hills, on the mountain side above the Waghora River, are the overwhelming Ajanta group of caves, fascinating tourists from all over. The caves at Ajanta tell the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.
The 29 caves were built as private abode of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the imposing figures gracing the walls of these structures.
Ellora Caves - The Ellora caves are 34 in number carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. These impressive caves reflect the finest specimens of cave - temple architecture. The caves flaunt intricate facades and elegantly adorned interiors. Carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period these structures represent the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. All of Ellora's cave-temples are remarkable in size and detail; the most spectacular of them is the Kailasa Temple, the world's largest monolithic structure.